The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-10
pon my brow, as if to seal our com

Two days later we all bade farewell to the Alps and made our way to England-the Coninghams to their country house in Somerset, with Rhoda to London.
 Cunningham Hall was situated in a hollow. The small park which sur- rounded it was wild and romantic. Directly in front of the hall lay a large sheet of water, beautiful enough to look at with it's island and over hanging willows.
 It was on an August evening that first saw this lake. I stood still mo- ment to admire and to think with pleasure of the surprise I was about to give Elsa, for I was not expected till the next day. AS I looked my mood changed. A feeling of fear-al- most of horror-took hold upon me. So beautiful a scene should be pro- ductive only of peace, and I had heard no sound; yeti affirm it-I could have cried aloud in my nameless ter TOT. felt as if under a powerful con- trol outside myself-that I was help lcSS HI us luVfSlOIe grasp.
 I moved with rapid steps to the very border of the lake. I knew not but what I might be compelled to en- ter the water-I had no power to re- sist-I was being driven onward. At the brink of the lake I was allowed to stop, and, looking down into the clear water, l saw-merciful heavens can scarcely bear to think of 1.-the dead face of child l-the dead face of little Carl!
 l should have fallen face downward into the lake in my terror and grief had l not been compelled to turn from the ghastly sight by the same myste- rious influence that had compelled my steps thither. As I turned my eyes fell upon Elsa. She was standing at little distance, looking at me mourn fully. I tried to run to her to take her away-whither l hardly knew, but she must not, should not see what l had seen. But could not move a step. The air seemed full of the soft hum of insects, and I was descending slowly from height. I struggled not to lose my senses, and then gave in.
 The next thing I knew was that an old servant was bathing my head, and that MT. Cunningham was standing over me with wineglass in his hand. l was in low -ceilinged drawing room, hung with faded amber silk.
 "Elsa!~ p gasped; "she must not leave the house. Go to her-do not let her go near the-lake." I trembled so that the words came in jerks and were scarcely distinguishable.
 "Drink some wine," said MT. Con- ingham, and then he made remark to the old servant about the wickedness of breaking news to people abruptly.
 The wine revived me, and l sat up on the couch.
 "Mr. Coningham," I cried, Gas you love Elsa, go and find her; keep her from going to the lake p
 "Calm yourself, Miss Thompson" he answered sadly. "I look to you to break this to her. Good God, can't"
 "Then you know!' I broke out. "Oh, send at once and have him brought in. How can you leave him in the cold water; if you know? Oh, my little Carll Oh, poor Elsa !"
 For answer he raised from the couch and quietly led me from the room, up the ancient staircase, then along a gal lery. Presently we stopped at door. nII ot h hs L1 then you will see how calmly he sleeps."
 He opened the door and led me into a small bedroom, all white and blue. We stood together beside the snowy little bed. With a hand that visibly trembled he raised the white coverlet that hid something. Ths action re- vealed the dead but still beautiful child. There he lay, calm and still, his natural curls falling upon the pill low.
 "Elsa knows nothing yet" said the father, in tone full of despair-de- spair which had an awful calm about it. "Will you go to her now?"
 l assented in bewildered way. Had l been unconscious a whole night and day? l thought, for the sky had the rosy flush which the setting sun leaves behind, and it was not possible to imagine that the peaceful little form had just seen had been recently in the water.
 "I am dazed, MT. Coningham," faltercd, as he led me through one gal lery after another toward the west wing. "Tell me, when did I see little Carl-in the lake, and where did Elsa go when I fainted?"
 He stood still for moment, regard ing me sadly.
 "You could not have seen Carl there, he answered, with tremor in his voice. "He was found and brought in at ten this morning, when you were still in London, You must have inn